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Monthly Archives: October 2012

Every once in a while you get the opportunity to view an exhibition that takes your breath away. Yesterday I had one of those moments. The exhibition is question? Tim Walker: Storyteller at Somerset house.

I’ve long since been a fan of Tim Walkers work (I blogged about his work here). I think the image above was one of the first Walker shoots I saw in Vogue (ah the days when I had a Vogue subscription. Sigh). His work with its creative, quirky, playful and dreamlike nature has always appealed greatly to me.

Somehow the exhibition manages to be light and fun yet serious, dramatic and highly emotional. I found myself in tears at one point because Walkers photography seen blown up large scale is just sobeautiful.

In particular there is a photograph of Alexander McQueen with a skull from 2009, blown up large scale. I’m actually not going to share the image here, because I feel you need to see it to appreciate it. But the image, which must have been taken only a year or less before McQueen’s death has a poignancy and a realism and also seems to speak volumes about McQueen’s personality.

This exhibition also captures something of Walkers persona. From interviews I’ve read with him this exhibition simply feels like he must have had a lot of input. It’s the play with scale that so captures Walkers sensibilities.

The length of the exhibition too was just right. It felt enough to satisfy a fan of Walkers work, yet in the same breath not too long to bore someone who had only a passing interest. I will say at this point the exhibition focuses on Walkers work from the past ten years (possibly less I’m not 100% sure what the earliest photo was) as the Design Museum has previously held an exhibition which focused on his earlier work (2008).

The setting of Somerset house is perfect for Walker’s work. There is some sense of homeliness in the rooms of the East Wing. You feel like you are entering into Walkers own personal space, into his sketch book (with the giant sketches) and into his mind.

Walker’s photography here is able to be viewed as art, as it deserves to be. Taking them away from fashion shoots, as many of these images started off life. Scale here is key and the different sizes of the images help to convey different meaning of each piece of work.

Unlike many other photography exhibitions where the photograph defines the exhibition, here the props are equally important and you feel like each room is a work of instillation art within itself.

I’d go as far to say that the presentation here made me re-think other photography exhibitions I’ve seen ahem *Cecil Beaton and the Queen *, because this was done so well.

So, ANY criticism? There was one picture of Kate Moss that I felt was out of place in one of the rooms. Honestly, that is my SOLE fault of the exhibition.

What else can I say? The exhibition is free, so realistically you have no excuse not to go. There is also a simply stunning book that accompanies the exhibition which will definitely be going on my Christmas list.

This week I’m talking about the dreaded C word. It is a word I can’t deal with (at all). The word? Christmas.

So why am I talking about CHRISTMAS when November hasn’t even hit yet? Partially because there is nothing worse than that awful disorganised feeling in those last few weeks running up to Christmas when you start to think to yourself, I’VE GOT NOTHING TO WEAR FOR CHRISTMAS.

That’s why my Christmas suitable listing are starting early, lots of glitzy frocks and Christmas suitable presents. Over the next couple of weeks there will be many glitzy handbags to come from my mum’s collection and mine.

This little bag came from my collection. Needs a little bit of work on the Lucite to get it back to its absolute best, but a very sweet bag nonetheless. Bid for it here

This one is an original 50s deadstock handbag, it is in almost perfect condition, and has one of the best EVER clasps to it. Bid for it here.

This is one of the most superbly perfect wiggle dresses EVER. Made by John Selby from a deep red brocade. A definite mad-men esque number. Bid for it here.

This little jacket would be an excellent cover up with any vintage dress. I think this dates to the 30s. Made from amazing brocade fabric. Bid for it here.

This little dress is from the 80s but its design is pure 50s in style. Bid for it here.

If you are feeling supa dupa generous (and want to buy someone an extra special christmas pres bob) I also have two FAB-U-LOUS vintage 70s Louis Vuitton suitcases listed too. They have fabulous provenance which is detailed in the listings. Bid for the smaller one here, and the larger one here

Or, if you are like me and wear summer clothes all year round (chuck on a cardigan and tights and I’ll just wear the exact same clothes I was wearing in July). Bid for it here.

Buying glasses can be a tricky game to say the least. What frame shape suits your face is often the first problem! After many years traipsing round after my mother in various opticians I know this only too well.

The problem with opticians on the high street often tends to be the price. Last week mother dearest tried on one of THE nicest pairs of Tom Ford glasses I have seen in a long time. A larger version of the cats eye shape of glasses. But, the frames were priced at a whopping £225. A little bit of research on the internet found the same pair of glasses for just a fraction of the price from Smartbuyglassses. Here, the same pair of Tom ford glasses were just £141.95

These glasses are one of my undeniable favourites on the market at the moment. I just love the fact they have a little bit of a retro look to them, yet are very modern too. What is great is the way in which they cater to a number of different glasses styles (like your glasses thick? Check. Need glasses that are thick enough at the sides to conceal your lenses? Check. Like the cats eye shape? Check)

They come in a number of differentcolours. Black, Tortoiseshell and a two tone frame too.

After perusing a little longer on the site I cam across some more fabulous glasses this time from Prada.

I adore the different colours on the inside and outside of these Prada glasses.

Also come in lots of other colours!!!

And, even better if you are looking for some great sunglasses there is a wide selection on the site too. Especially if you are off on a nice little ski trip this winter!